THE Council of State elections took place across the country yesterday but not without chaotic scenes, bizarre incidents, and delays which marred the beauty of the exercise.
In the Ashanti Region, it was reported that the exercise witnessed the scattering of ballot boxes as some ‘machomen’ stormed the polling station to disrupt the exercise.
In the Bono Region, the election was generally peaceful but witnessed some protest by some of the delegates on modalities of the election, but that was resolved to allow the election to proceed.
In the Greater Accra Region, the voting exercise delayed due to a scuffle at the polling station when security personnel prevented some individuals from entering the voting room because they were not authorised to do so.
It is reported that, the situation escalated into chaos, prompting the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, to flee through an exit door.
However, calm was soon restored, allowing the voting process to proceed smoothly.
In the Central Region, the 44-member Central Region Electoral College in the Council of State election has elected Mr Habib Hakeem, a 47-year-old miner, to the Council of State.
In the North East, there was a tie between the two contestants and the election would be re-organised on Thursday.
The contestants, Saaka Abuba and Asabigi San Malunga Nasamu who polled six votes apiece, are both from West Mamprusi Municipal.
In the Greater Accra Region, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, was elected as the Greater Accra Region’s representative on the Council of State, securing 40 votes.
Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I was not available to make any victory speech.
Kingsley E. Hope, reports from Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region that some “machomen” caused a stir when they stormed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and disrupted the exercise.
They destroyed all the ballots just when the officials of the Electoral Commission were about to begin counting of the ballots.
It was quite a scene as the about 200 police personnel who were not armed, took to their heels as the well-built men resorted to removing the jackets of the EC officials, kicking the ballot boxes and physically assaulting journalists.
As at the time of filing the report, the EC officials had left the premises with the “machomen” all over the place.
In the Eastern Region, Mrs Evelyn Korang, a former Eastern Regional Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress emerged winner in the election.
She secured 17 votes out of 66 votes cast in the election which had 24 contestants.
From Bolgantanga, the Upper East Regional capital, Francis Dabre Dabang reports that the Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area and President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, was elected as the member of the Council of State.
He beat six other contestants to win the elections in the Upper East Region and of the total valid votes cast, he polled 18 votes, representing 60 per cent of valid votes cast.
In his victory speech, Pe Ayagitam III, lauded the delegates for the confidence and trust reposed in him, and assured them that he would not let them down.
Daniel Dzirasah reports from Sunyani in the Bono Region, that the Chief of Suma Ahenkro, Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong lll, was elected as the Bono Regional representative of the Council of State.
The chief who is known in private life as Dr Kusi Boakye Yiadom, and Deputy Registrar of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Sunyani Municipality, polled 16 votes out of 24 ballots.
Addressing the media after his victory, Dr Brempong III, noted that he would work hard to champion the development of the Bono Region.
Daniel Dzirasah further reports that the Ahafo Regional Chairman of the governing NDC, Yaw Kyere, emerged winner of the Ahafo Regional Council of State election held yesterday at Goaso.
He secured six votes out of 12 ballot cast in an election with seven candidates contesting.
For the Bono East, the president of the Yeji Traditional Council, Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese III, won the Council of State election.
He polled 11 votes out of 22 ballots cast to carry the day in the election contested by 11 candidates.
From Wa, the Upper West Regional capital, Rafia Abdul Razak, reports that a former Regional Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Michael Kwame Mumuni, was elected as a member of the Council of State to represent the region.
He polled eight out of the 22 votes, beating 10 other contestants in his bid to be the regional representative of the Council of State.
Mr Mumuni expressed gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to uphold the interest of the region at all time.
From Yahaya Nuhu Nadaa in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, yesterday was elected as the Northern regional representative of the Council of State.
He polled 26 out of 32 valid votes cast to defeat his main contender, Mr Richard Andani Yakubu (Alhaji Saashei Naa), who had four votes, Mr Nyande Abdul Raqib had two votes and Adam Hussein had zero vote.
Alhaji Mumuni said he would use his experience as a politician to advise the President when necessary and assured the chiefs and the people of the Northern Region that he would not disappoint them and serve to the benefit of all.
Samuel Agbewode reports from the Volta Regional capital Ho that Mr Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, a 36-year-old businessman, was elected to represent the Volta Region on the Council of State.
He polled 24 out of the 36 votes cast in the election contested by 13 aspirants.
Addressing the media in a victory speech, Mr Kwamigah-Atokple, thanked God for the victory and lauded the support he enjoyed from his family and friends and pledged he would lobby for development to the region.
In the Western North Region, Mr Michael Aidoo, a 66-year-old entrepreneur was elected as representative on the Council of State.
He polled 18 votes out of 18 ballots cast.
In his victory speech, Mr Aidoo promised to offer better counsel to the President in matters of national interest.
Yahaya Nuhu Nadaa reports from the Savanah Region, that former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bole Bamboi District Assembly in the Savannah Region and Chief of Tinga Community, Tingawura Sampson Seidu Abudu, yesterday was elected as the representative on the Council of State for the Savannah Region.
He obtained 11 votes out of the total 14 valid votes cast to beat other contenders to represent the region on the Council of State.
Chief Abudu assured the people of Savannah Region that he would work to the best of his ability and work to bring development to the region.
From Sekondi-Takoradi, Clement Adzei Boye reports that a 32-year-old entrepreneur in the Wassa Amenfi West municipality, Dr Maxwell Boakye, has been elected as the Western Regional representative on the Council of State.
He polled 17 out of the 28 total valid votes cast to beat his close contender, Nana Akwasi Nsiah-Awuah, a 74-year old business executive, who garnered 10 votes.
Dr Boakye pledged to serve with humility and integrity to ensure the Western Region received its fair share of development projects.
Richard Kings Atipoe, the incumbent member of the Council of State for the Oti Region has been re-elected after a dominant electoral victory.
He polled 16 out of 18 votes cast.
BY TIMES REPORTERS
